EDITORIAL: Bloomington needs to make way

The campaign to see Interstate 69 constructed through Monroe County, Ind., has picked up some heavyweight allies. A majority of members of the Hoosier congressional delegation, along with Republican Indiana Sens. Richard Lugar and Dan Coats, have signed a letter, asking in diplomatic language that Bloomington officials get out of the way and allow the highway to pass through their jurisdiction.

According to Eric Bradner of the Courier & Press Indianapolis bureau, the delegates are asking the Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization to put construction of I-69 along a two-mile stretch back into their transportation plan, as required by federal law before construction can take place there.

The planning group is expected to take up the question again at their November meeting.

The letter to Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan says that the direct route from Evansville to Indianapolis will create a corridor that will encourage private sector investment and help create much-needed jobs.

Obviously we agree with the Washington group, which includes 8th District Rep. Larry Bucshon, and hope that finally, the stubborn highway opponents in Bloomington and Monroe County will see that their roadblock is interfering with statewide economic progress.

The letter said they recognize that Kruzan has legitimate concerns, but that in turn Bloomington should recognize the "unique opportunity to support the entire state of Indiana."